The Good Belly Project, Boston Public Market Urge You to Dine Out for a Cause

A rendering of the Boston Public Market, which could open as soon as 2012. (Photo courtesy of Marlo)

Autumn is always one of our favorite seasons to dine out, thanks to hearty ingredients and spice-laden, soul-warming flavors. And thanks to a couple of new initiatives, patronizing restaurants over the next month or so is not only appetizing, but can also make a difference in both our local and global communities.

Eat at a restaurant participating in the Good Belly Project—a partnership between Mullen and UNICEF—and a dollar from each Instagram-med photo taken at the restaurant and posted on Twitter with the hashtag #goodbellyproject plus the restaurant name will be donated to UNICEF relief efforts in East Africa (now you actually have an excuse to be the obnoxious photo-snapper at the dinner table!). Participating restaurants in the project—which is currently ongoing, and lasts until November 6—include Rialto, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Abigail’s, Bergamot and Stephi’s on Tremont.

For something that hits a bit closer to home (and for those with deeper pockets), there’s a city-wise Harvest Dinner party on November 10, which will raise funds for the forthcoming downtown Boston Public Market. A table for ten at one of the 22 participating restaurants (which includes heavy hitters like Hamersley’s Bistro, Oleana and The Butcher Shop) costs $2,500, and features a multi-course meal with wine pairings and cocktails made with spirits from the local Bully Boy Distillery. It’s not cheap, to be sure, but could go a long way towards ensuring that a public market space actually comes to fruition. To book a reservation, email harvestdinnerparties@bostonpublicmarket.org.